Stilts

ABSTRACT

A nonflaccid brace for construction stilts is disclosed. In one embodiment, the brace is employed as a lower leg brace. In another embodiment, the brace is employed as an ankle brace. In another embodiment, the brace is employed with one or more nonflaccid closures. An ankle brace for construction stilts is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ankle brace is positioned across the foot pad from the upright carrying the leg brace. A quick connect coupling for stilts is disclosed. The coupling can be employed to close the leg brace, the ankle brace, and/or the foot straps of the stilts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.11/396,896 filed Apr. 3, 2006, now Ser. No. ______, and claims thebenefit thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, this invention relates to improved lower leg braces forstilts, particularly stilts employed in the construction industry tofacilitate overhead work, such as accessing and hanging suspendedceiling structures or overhead electrical or duct work. In anotheraspect, this invention relates to providing such stilts with an anklebrace. In a further aspect, this invention relates to improved footretainers for such stilts. In an additional aspect, this inventionrelates to an improved fastener assembly for fastening such stilts tothe user's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein, is an example of one type of stilt employed by theconstruction industry. It utilizes a single upright post extending abovethe shoe platform and having a calf brace near the upper end to providestability to the user. The calf brace attaches to the side of the postand is solely dependent on the retention of the fasteners for safety.

The calf brace in described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 is constructed ofmetal and is expensive to produce. A calf brace that could be producedinexpensively would be desirable.

Also, metallic calf braces are subject to fatigue cracks over time, andare not easy to straighten if bent by accident or abuse. Constructingthe braces out of a material that resists fatigue and damage wouldenhance their durability.

Also, the calf brace in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 presents an inherentsafety hazard during falls because of its metallic construction. A braceconstruction less likely to result in a cut during a fall would be verydesirable.

Further, additional redundancy against failure of the stilt due to lossof the calf brace retaining bolts would be desirable.

The stilt described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 attaches to the user'scalf and foot. A stilt that further contacts the user's ankle wouldpermit the user to employ more muscle groups to move the stilt, andcould be used with greater control and less fatigue.

The increased control provided by an ankle fixture would also permit theuser to wear the stilt without attaching the fasteners so tightly, toprovide greater comfort.

Providing an ankle fixture would also provide the user with greaterability to control the stilt in the event of failure of the calf or footattachment, and thus greater safety.

The calf brace in described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515 relies on strapsfor attachment to the user's leg. Employing a nonflaccid closurestructure to embrace the user's leg would provide greater comfort forthe user, and permit better control over the stilt without inflictingdiscomfort on the user. A quicker fastening system to attach the stiltsto the user's body would also be desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide improvements to stilts thatovercome the above noted deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is provided in the form of a non-flaccidleg brace element for a stilt. The leg brace element comprises anonflaccid body. The nonflaccid body defines a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user'sleg, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindricalconcave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt.

In another aspect of the invention, the lower leg brace is provided inthe form of a multipiece, hinged, nonflaccid cuff, which, when closed,substantially encircles the lower leg of the user.

In one embodiment, the multipiece cuff comprises a first nonflaccid bodyand a second nonflaccid body connected by a hinge and a fastenerassembly. The first nonflaccid body has a first lateral end and a secondlateral end and defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave insidesurface for supporting a stilt user's leg and a passage spaced apartfrom the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receivinga leg support of the stilt. The second nonflaccid body forms anonflaccid arcuate closure having a first lateral end and a secondlateral end. The hinge connects the first lateral end of the arcuateclosure with the first lateral end of the first nonflaccid body. Thefastener assembly connects the second lateral end of the arcuate closurewith the second lateral end of the first nonflaccid body.

In another embodiment, the multi-piece cuff comprises a first nonflaccidbody, a second nonflaccid body, a third nonflaccid body, a first hinge,and a second hinge. The first nonflaccid body defines a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a lateral area ona stilt user's lower leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support ofthe stilt. The second nonflaccid body defines a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a posterior areaon a stilt user's lower leg. The first hinge connects the firstnonflaccid body and the second nonflaccid body. The third nonflaccidbody defines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface forsupporting an anterior area on a stilt user's lower leg. The secondhinge connects the first nonflaccid body to the third nonflaccid body.

These embodiments of the invention can be used to provide a releasablecuff on the stilt user's lower leg which is more secure and comfortablethan is provided by straps.

In another aspect of the invention, a stilt is further provided with anankle brace, which can be situated on the same side of the stilt as thelower leg brace, or on the opposite side.

In one embodiment of the ankle brace invention, a stilt is provided withboth a lower leg brace and an ankle brace. The apparatus comprises afloor platform, a shoe platform, and a pair of substantially verticallymounted supports pivotally connecting the floor platform and the shoeplatform in a parallel configuration. The vertical supports arespring-biased so as to urge the vertical supports and the platformstoward a rectangular configuration. A leg support is mounted to one ofthe vertically mounted supports and extends upwardly above the shoeplatform. The leg support has an upper end section. The lower leg braceis positioned on the upper end section of the leg support insuperposition with respect to the shoe platform. The ankle brace ispositioned on the leg support between the lower leg brace and the shoeplatform in superposition with respect to the shoe platform.

In another embodiment of the ankle brace invention, the ankle brace isspaced across the shoe platform from the leg support. The stiltcomprises a floor platform, a shoe platform, and a pair of substantiallyvertically mounted supports pivotally connecting the floor platform andthe shoe platform in a parallelogram configuration. The verticalsupports are spring-biased so as to urge the vertical supports and theplatforms towards a rectangular configuration. A leg support is mountedto one of the vertically mounted supports and extends upwardly above theshoe platform. The leg support has an upper end section. A lower legbrace is positioned on the upper end section of the leg support insuperposition with respect to the shoe platform. An ankle brace elementis mounted to the shoe platform and extends upwardly parallel to the legsupport. The ankle brace element is positioned across the shoe platformfrom the leg support.

The ankle brace provides greater ease of use of the stilt, because itpermits the bottom end of the stilt to be moved without excessivereliance on the muscles of the foot.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fastenerassembly for use with stilts comprising a cross-piece protruding from anouter surface of a first strap end or a first nonflaccid body, a draglink extending from an end edge of a second strap end or a secondnonflaccid body for engaging the cross-piece, and a lever arm mounted onan outside surface of second strap end or second nonflaccid body forretracting the drag link and pulling the first strap end or firstnonflaccid body into a closed position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a buckle forthe fastener assembly. The buckle comprises an elongated base platehaving a pair of spaced apart parallel ears extending normally therefromand a tang extending generally normally therefrom at a location spacedapart from the ears. The tang is positioned in a plane generally normalto the planes of the ears. The tang has a “C” shaped bend near an upperend thereof facing generally toward the ears. The lever arm has a firstend and a second end. The first end of the lever arm is pivotallyconnected to the ears of the base plate. The lever arm has a lengthwhich is greater than a distance between the ears and the tang on thebase plate and has an inside cross piece positioned to ride over anouter surface of the “C” shaped bend of the tang and snap the lever arminto a locked position in which the elongated base plate and the leverarm are generally parallel. A portion of the “C” shaped bend of the tangprotrudes above an upper surface of the lever arm to permit the tang tobe manually moved and the lever arm to be unlocked. The drag link has afirst end and a second end. The first end of the drag link is pivotallyconnected to the lever arm at a location between the first end of thelever arm and the cross piece. The second end of the drag link is fittedwith a hook or loop for engaging the item to be pulled toward thebuckle. The tang provides a redundant locking mechanism to prevent thestilt attachment to the user to be accidently undone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a pair of lower leg bracesconstructed according to one embodiment of the invention from an upperperspective.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of one of the lower leg braces shownin FIG. 1 from a lower perspective.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a lower leg brace as shown in FIG.1 from an additional perspective.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration of a stilt fitted with a lower legbrace according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustration of a stilt fitted with an improvedlower leg brace and further with an ankle brace according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial illustration of a portion of a stilt as shown inFIG. 5 showing additional details of the improved lower leg brace.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial illustration of a portion of a stilt as shown inFIG. 5 showing additional details of the ankle brace.

FIG. 8 is an exploded pictorial view of another ankle brace according toa further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of an ankle brace as in FIG. 8 deployed onthe foot plate of a right hand stilt.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of an ankle brace as in FIG. 8 deployed on aleft hand stilt.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of a user securement strap according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of another user securement strap accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of a further foot strap according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of a buckle for securing stilt strapsaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the buckle of FIG. 14, in a closedposition.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a stilt lower leg brace according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a non-flaccid lower legbrace element 2 for a stilt. The leg brace element comprises anonflaccid body. The nonflaccid body defines a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface 4 for supporting a lateral sideof a stilt user's leg, and a passage 6 spaced apart from the generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support ofthe stilt.

A wide range of nonflaccid material is suitable for construction of thebrace element 2. For cost and speed of production, a thermoplastic wouldbe preferred. For strength, a fiber reinforced thermoplastic would bepreferred. For durability, an engineering thermoplastic would bepreferred. Short glass fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is asuitable material, for example, as well as other nonflaccid items shownherein. The brace element 2, as well as the other nonflaccid items shownherein, is preferably produced by an injection molding process. Morepreferably, the nonflaccid items disclosed herein are of unitarystructure.

The generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface is positionedaround a longitudinal axis 8. A longitudinal axis 10 of the passage isgenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis 8.

The brace element can be described as comprising a first portion 12 anda second portion 14. The first portion is a generally saddle-shapedstructure having an inner surface which defines the generallycylindrical inside surface and an outer surface 16. Preferably, thelength of the saddle, as measured axially, is at least ¼ of the width,as measured circumferentially. The second portion protrudes from theouter surface of the first portion and is longitudinally elongated anddefines the passage.

The second portion is positioned between a first half of the outersurface of the first portion and a second half of the outer surface ofthe first portion. The outer surface of the first portion has an upperend and a lower end. The second portion preferably comprises an upperear element 18 protruding from the upper end of the outer surface of thefirst portion, and a lower ear element 20 protruding from the lower endof the outer surface of the first portion. A tubular element 22 extendsbetween the upper ear element and the lower ear element and defines aportion of the passage. Preferably, an upper end of the passage isclosed by a portion 24 of the upper ear element, so that the lower legbrace cannot slide down during use.

The passage is preferably configured to closely accept the upper end ofthe stilt upright on which it will be positioned. A circular crosssection is preferred for uprights constructed of round tubing.

The second portion preferably further defines at least one transverseborehole 26 in communication with the passage suitable for receiving afastener to fasten the leg brace element to a stilt leg support receivedby the passage. Pins fitted with a retention device or bolts with nutsand a locking mechanism would be suitable. In the illustratedembodiment, the upper ear defines a first transverse borehole and thelower ear defines a second transverse borehole. Each of the boreholes isin communication with the passage and is suitable for receiving afastener to fasten the leg brace element to a stilt leg support receivedby the passage.

Preferably, the first portion further defines outwardly protrudingreinforcing bands extending circumferentially from the upper ear and thelower ear. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper band 28 is positionedadjacent to the upper end of the outer surface of the first portion anda lower band 30 is positioned adjacent to the lower end of the outersurface of the first portion. The first portion has a first lateral end32 and a second lateral end 34 and further defines a first bridgestructure 36 connecting the upper band to the lower band near the firstlateral end and a second bridge structure 38 connecting the upper bandto the lower band near the second lateral end. The tubular element isspaced apart from the outer surface of the first portion to define apassage 40. The brace element defines a location for receipt of a usersafety strap 42 between the upper and lower reinforcing bands andextending between the tubular element and the first and second bridgestructures and the outer surface of the first portion. A layer 44 ofcushioning is further positioned on the generally cylindrical insidesurface in the preferred embodiment. Foam fastened with adhesive issuitable.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the lower leg support aspect of theinvention as can be deployed on a stilt 46 of the general type shown inU.S. Pat. No. 5,645,515. The stilt comprises a floor platform 48 and ashoe platform 50. A pair of substantially vertically mounted supports52, 54 pivotally connect the floor platform and the shoe platform in aparallelogram configuration. The vertical supports are spring-biased soas to urge the vertical supports and the platforms toward a rectangularconfiguration. A leg support 56 is mounted to one of the verticallymounted supports and extends upwardly above the shoe platform. The legsupport has an upper end section 58. The upper end section of the legsupport is retained in the passage of the leg brace element 2 insuperposition with respect to the shoe platform. A user safety strap canbe received in the location defined for receipt of a user safety strapfor securing the stilt to the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention employing an anklebrace as well as a lower leg brace with closure. The stilt apparatus146, as in FIG. 4, is of the general type shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,645,515. The stilt comprises a floor platform 148 and a shoe platform150. A pair of substantially vertically mounted supports 152, 154pivotally connect the floor platform and the shoe platform in aparallelogram configuration. The vertical supports are spring-biased soas to urge the vertical supports and the platforms toward a rectangularconfiguration. A leg support 156 is mounted to one of the verticallymounted supports and extends upwardly above the shoe platform. The legsupport has an upper end section 158. A lower leg brace element 102 ispositioned on the upper end section of the leg support in superpositionwith respect to the shoe platform. An ankle brace element 103 ispositioned on the leg support between the lower leg brace and the shoeplatform in superposition with respect to the shoe platform.

The ankle brace element preferably comprises a nonflaccid body defininga generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting astilt user's ankle, and a passage spaced apart from the generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface receiving a leg support of thestilt. The generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface ispositioned around a longitudinal axis, and the passage is generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis. The brace is preferably strapped tothe user's ankle for use, although it could be provided with one or morenonflaccid closure elements as described elsewhere herein.

More preferably, the ankle brace element comprises a first portion 212and a second portion 214. The first portion is a generally saddle-shapedstructure having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the innersurface defining the generally cylindrical inside surface. Preferably,the length of the saddle, as measured axially, is at least ¼ of thewidth, as measured circumferentially. The second portion protrudes fromthe outer surface of the first portion and is longitudinally elongatedand defines the passage. The second portion is positioned between afirst half of the outer surface of the first portion and a second halfof the outer surface of the first portion. The outer surface of thefirst portion has an upper end and a lower end and the second portioncomprises an upper ear element protruding from the upper end of theouter surface of the first portion and a tubular element extendingdownwardly from the upper ear element and defining a portion of thepassage. The brace can be secured to the upright by one or more pinsthough the ear and/or tube. Preferably, the brace is adjustably securedto the upright for longitudinal movement, so it can be adjusted to theuser's preferences. For use, a user safety strap having a buckle end 244and a tongue end 242 is secured to the ankle brace and passes betweenthe tubular element and the outer surface of the first portion.Alternatively, the brace can be secured to the user with one or morearcuate closures as described elsewhere herein. Multiple layers 144, 145of cushioning are preferably positioned on the generally cylindricalinside surface of the ankle brace, to position the brace snugly andcomfortably on the user's ankle.

The lower leg brace element 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises a firstnonflaccid body and a second nonflaccid body, joined together with ahinge and a fastener assembly. The first nonflaccid body has a firstlateral end and a second lateral end and has a first portion 112 whichdefines a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface forsupporting a lateral part of the stilt user's lower leg and a secondportion 114 which defines a passage spaced apart from the generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support ofthe stilt. The first nonflaccid body is preferably structuredsubstantially as described herein above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. Thesecond nonflaccid body forms a nonflaccid arcuate closure 160 having afirst lateral end and a second lateral end and supports a medial area onthe stilt user's lower leg. A hinge 162 connects the first lateral endof the arcuate closure with the first lateral end of the firstnonflaccid body. A fastener assembly connects the second lateral end ofthe arcuate closure with the second lateral end of the first nonflaccidbody. Preferably, an inner surface of the nonflaccid arcuate closuredefines a generally semi-cylindrical concave surface, and, when in aclosed position, together with the generally semi-cylindrical surface ofthe first nonflaccid body, forms a passage for receiving the user's leg,so that the user's leg is supported by a padded, nonflaccid cuff.Preferably, each of the first and second nonflaccid bodies form saddleshaving a length of the saddle, as measured axially, which is at least ¼of the width, as measured circumferentially.

The fastener assembly preferably comprises an arcuate toothed rack 164protruding from an outer surface of the nonflaccid arcuate closure, adrag link 166 extending from the second lateral end of the firstnonflaccid body for engaging a tooth on the arcuate toothed rack, and alever arm 168 mounted on an outside surface of first nonflaccid bodynear the second lateral end for retracting the drag link and pulling thelower leg brace into the closed position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the anklebrace is spaced across the shoe platform from the leg support. The stilt346 illustrated comprises a floor platform 348, a shoe platform 350, apair of substantially vertically mounted supports 352, 354 pivotallyconnecting the floor platform and the shoe platform in a parallelogramconfiguration. The vertical supports are spring-biased so as to urge thevertical supports and the platforms towards a rectangular configuration.A leg support 358 is mounted to one of the vertically mounted supportsand extends upwardly above the shoe platform. The leg support has anupper end section. A lower leg brace 302 is positioned on the upper endsection of the leg support in superposition with respect to the shoeplatform. An ankle brace element 303 is mounted to the shoe platform andextends upwardly parallel to the leg support. The ankle brace element ispositioned across the shoe platform from the leg support.

Preferably, the ankle brace element comprises an upper portion 370 and alower portion 372. The upper portion includes a concave arcuate surfacefacing the leg support. The lower portion is secured to the shoeplatform and includes an upright post 374 connected to the upperportion. Preferably, the upper portion of the ankle brace element isconnected to the lower portion of the ankle brace element with a slidingjoint. The ankle brace element further includes means, such as screw376, for immobilizing the sliding joint.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding joint comprises a telescopingjoint. The upper portion of the ankle brace element has a downwardlydepending connector which receives the upright post, although it couldbe vice versa. The downwardly depending connector and the upright postcan each have a “)” shaped cross section, such configuration permittingfabrication by stamping and folding of sheet metal.

The lower portion of the ankle brace element in the illustratedembodiment includes an elongated cross-plate 378 connected to a lowerend of the upright post. The cross-plate has a first end and a secondend. A pair of downwardly extending tabs 380, 382 are positioned nearthe ends of the cross-plate. The downwardly extending tabs are parallelto the upright post. The tabs have an upper end and a lower end and abend near the upper end attached to the cross-plate, the tabs beingpositioned in a plane which is offset and parallel to the plane of thecross plate, to permit contact with the foot plate substructure. Thetabs have a J bend at their lower ends, for hooking under the foot platesubstructure, and an aperture between the upper end and lower endcarrying a fastener 384, 385 for securing the ankle brace element to thefoot plate.

The ankle brace of FIGS. 8-10 nests against the inside of the user'sankle, and doesn't need to be strapped to the user, which makes thestilts carrying the brace quick and easy to put on.

Because the most common movement for sheetrock installers is side toside, the ankle brace enables the user to push the stilt with the leg,rather than drag the stilt with the calf strap and shoe strap, whichprovides a leverage advantage and greater ease of use. The ankle bracealso provides greater stability for the user when reaching forward orsideways. Stilts provided with the ankle brace are more comfortable, andcan be used with less flexing of the toes, feet and calf muscles, whenworking, walking forward, backwards, or standing. The “feel” of thestilts is also more natural, and gives the user a better chance foraverting falls by using natural reaction tendencies.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, usersecurement strap(s) for stilts are secured with quick lever couplingski-boot type fastener assemblies. Although this aspect of the inventionas shown is depicted as a foot strap, it is to be understood that thefastening system illustrated can be employed anywhere on the stilt thata strap is present. It can be used to pull together the leg and anklebraces, for example, by mounting the straps, for example with rivets, onthe outside of the saddles. An elongated foot plate 450, 550, 650 isprovided having a top side, a first lateral side and a second lateralside. A first band end portion 442, 542, 642 comes up from the firstlateral side of the foot plate. A second band end portion 444, 544, 644comes up from the second lateral side of the foot plate. A cross-pieceelement 564, 664 is carried on the first band end portion. A buckle 465,565, 665 is carried on the second band end portion. The buckle and crosspiece element can be riveted to their respective straps. The buckleincludes a drag link 467, 567, 667 for engaging the cross piece elementand a lever arm 469, 569, 669 for actuating the drag link.

In the FIG. 11 embodiment, the first band end portion is formed from anonflaccid material and is attached to the first lateral side of thefoot plate with a hinge connection 470. The second band end portion isformed from a nonflaccid material and is attached to the second lateralside of the foot plate with a second hinge connection 471. The firstband end portion and the second band end portion arch over the top sideof the foot plate when the drag link is engaged with the cross piece. InFIG. 12, the cross-piece element comprises a transversely elongatedhook. In FIG. 13, the cross-piece element comprises a tooth on anarcuate rack having a plurality of teeth.

The details of a buckle 784 according to certain aspects of theinvention are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The buckle comprises anelongated base plate 786, a lever arm 791, and a drag link 793.

The elongated base plate 786 has a pair of spaced apart parallel ears787, 788 extending normally upwardly therefrom and a tang 789 extendinggenerally normally upwardly therefrom at a location spaced apart fromthe ears. The tang is positioned in a plane generally normal to theplanes of the ears. The tang has a “C” shaped bend 790 (when viewed incross section) near an upper end thereof, with the open side of the Cfacing generally toward the ears.

The lever arm 791 has a first end and a second end. The first end of thelever arm is pivotally connected to the ears of the base plate. Thelever arm has a length which is greater than a distance between the earsand the tang on the base plate and has an inside cross piece 792positioned to ride over an outer surface of the “C” shaped bend of thetang and snap the lever arm into a locked position in which theelongated base plate and the lever arm are generally parallel. See FIG.15. The lever arm displaces the tang as it rides over it and the tangreturns to near its original position once the lever arm has cleared. Aportion of the “C” shaped bend of the tang protrudes above an uppersurface of the lever arm to permit the tang to be manually moved and thelever arm to be unlocked.

The drag link 793 has a first end and a second end. The first end of thedrag link is pivotally connected to the lever arm at a location betweenthe first end of the lever arm and the cross piece.

The buckle preferably further comprises a first pin 794 extendingthrough the ears of the base plate and mounting the lever arm to thebase plate and a second pin 795 extending through the lever arm andconnecting the drag link to the lever arm.

The drag link is preferably arcuately shaped and has a groove 797 acrossa lower surface thereof which receives the first pin when the lever armis in the locked position. See FIG. 15. The first end of the lever armis preferably formed from a pair of generally parallel legs 798, 799which extend to the cross piece. The first end of the drag link is sizedto be received between the legs.

The base plate is preferably stamped sheet metal and the tang is urgedtowards the cross piece of the lever arm when the lever arm is in thelocked position. A spring 796 is preferably positioned around the secondpin and biases the drag link toward a down position. Preferably, asecond end portion of the drag link is sized similarly to a width of thefirst end of the lever arm and the second end portion of the drag linkis positioned closely adjacent to the first end of the lever arm whenthe lever arm is in the locked position. The drag link preferablycarries a wire loop 800, as shown in FIG. 16, for example. The wire loopis preferably carried in lateral grooves formed in the drag link andcrosses underneath an outside surface of the drag link near the secondend thereof FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the lower leg braceaspect of the invention. In FIG. 16, a lower leg brace element 802 for astilt comprises a first nonflaccid body 804, a second nonflaccid body806, a third nonflaccid body 808, a first hinge 810, and a second hinge812.

The first nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concaveinside surface for supporting a lateral area on a stilt user's lowerleg, and a passage 814 spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindricalconcave inside surface for receiving a leg support of the stilt. Thesecond nonflaccid body defines a generally semi-cylindrical concaveinside surface for supporting a posterior area on a stilt user's lowerleg. The first hinge connects the first nonflaccid body and the secondnonflaccid body. The third nonflaccid body defines a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting an anterior areaon a stilt user's lower leg. The second hinge connects the firstnonflaccid body to the third nonflaccid body.

A fastening assembly 814 is provided for bridging a gap between thesecond nonflaccid body and the third nonflaccid body and completingencirclement of a user's lower leg with the brace element. A paddedliner 816 is preferably positioned across the concave surfaces of eachof the first nonflaccid body, the second nonflaccid body, and the thirdnonflaccid body and biases the brace element towards an open position.Each of the nonflaccid bodies spans an angle in the range of 45 degreesto 120 degrees. Preferably, each of the first, second and thirdnonflaccid bodies are saddle-shaped, with the length of the saddle, asmeasured axially, being at least ¼ of the width, as measuredcircumferentially.

The nonflaccid bodies forming the leg brace preferably substantiallyencircle the user's leg to form a cuff when in the closed position.Because the contact area is larger, as compared to a strapped on brace,pressure points are reduced and the brace can be comfortably worn forlong periods of time. It can also be worn more loosely, without loss ofcontrol of the stilt. When a quick-connect coupling is used as thefastening assembly, putting on stilts is simpler and safer, because ofabsence of straps to adjust or thread.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, the invention is not to be construed as being so limited, exceptto the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

1. A leg brace element for a stilt, said leg brace element comprising anonflaccid body defining a generally semi-cylindrical concave insidesurface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passage spaced apartfrom the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receivinga leg support of the stilt, wherein the generally semi-cylindricalconcave inside surface is positioned around a longitudinal axis, and thepassage is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis, wherein the legbrace element comprises a first portion and a second portion, the firstportion being a generally saddle-shaped structure having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the generallycylindrical inside surface, the second portion protruding from the outersurface of the first portion and being longitudinally elongated anddefining the passage wherein the second portion is positioned between afirst half of the outer surface of the first portion and a second halfof the outer surface of the first portion wherein the outer surface ofthe first portion has an upper end and a lower end, and the secondportion comprises an upper ear element protruding from the upper end ofthe outer surface of the first portion, a lower ear element protrudingfrom the lower end of the outer surface of the first portion, and atubular element extending between the upper ear element and the lowerear element and defining a portion of the passage.
 2. A leg braceelement for a stilt as in claim 1 wherein an upper end of the passage isclosed by a portion of the upper ear element.
 3. A leg brace element fora stilt as in claim 1 wherein the tubular element is spaced apart fromthe outer surface of the first portion to define a location for receiptof a user safety strap between the tubular element and the outer surfaceof the first portion, and further comprising, in combination, a layer ofcushioning positioned on the generally cylindrical inside surface.
 4. Aleg brace element for a stilt as in claim 1 further comprising, incombination, a floor platform, a shoe platform, a pair of substantiallyvertically mounted supports pivotally connecting said floor platform andsaid shoe platform in a parallelogram configuration, said verticalsupports spring-biased so as to urge said vertical supports and saidplatforms toward a rectangular configuration, and a leg support mountedto one of said vertically mounted supports and extending upwardly abovesaid shoe platform, said leg support having an upper end section,wherein the upper end section of said leg support is retained in thepassage of the leg brace element in superposition with respect to theshoe platform.
 5. A combination as in claim 4 wherein the leg braceelement comprises a lower leg brace element, said combination furthercomprising, an ankle brace element positioned on the leg support betweenthe lower leg brace element and the shoe platform.
 6. A combination asin claim 5 wherein the ankle brace element comprises a nonflaccid bodydefining a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface forsupporting a stilt user's ankle, and a passage spaced apart from thegenerally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface receiving a legsupport of the stilt, wherein the generally semi-cylindrical concaveinside surface is positioned around a longitudinal axis, and the passageis generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 7. A leg brace elementfor a stilt as in claim 1, further comprising, in combination, anonflaccid arcuate closure having a first lateral end and a secondlateral end, a hinge connecting the first lateral end of the arcuateclosure with a first lateral end of the first portion of the leg braceelement, and a fastener assembly connecting the second lateral end ofthe arcuate closure with a second lateral end of the first portion ofthe leg brace element.
 8. A leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 7wherein an inner surface of the nonflaccid arcuate closure defines agenerally cylindrical surface, and the fastener assembly comprises anarcuate toothed rack protruding from an outer surface of the nonflaccidarcuate closure, a drag link extending from the second lateral end ofthe first portion of the leg brace element for engaging a tooth on thearcuate toothed rack, and a lever arm mounted on an outside surface ofthe leg brace element near the second end for retracting the drag link.9. A leg brace element for a stilt as in claim 8 further comprising, incombination, a floor platform, a shoe platform, a pair of substantiallyvertically mounted supports pivotally connecting said floor platform andsaid shoe platform in a parallelogram configuration, said verticalsupports spring-biased so as to urge said vertical supports and saidplatforms towards a rectangular configuration, and a leg support mountedto one of said vertically mounted supports and extending upwardly abovesaid shoe platform, said leg support having an upper end section,wherein the upper end section of said leg support is retained in thepassage of the leg brace element in superposition with respect to theshoe platform.
 10. Apparatus comprising a floor platform, a shoeplatform, a pair of substantially vertically mounted supports pivotallyconnecting said floor platform and said shoe platform in a parallelogramconfiguration, said vertical supports spring-biased so as to urge saidvertical supports and said platforms towards a rectangularconfiguration, and a leg support mounted to one of said verticallymounted supports and extending upwardly above said shoe platform, saidleg support having an upper end section, a lower leg brace positioned onthe upper end section of said leg support in superposition with respectto the shoe platform, and an ankle brace positioned on the leg supportbetween the lower leg brace and the shoe platform in superposition withrespect to the shoe platform.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein theankle brace element comprises a nonflaccid body defining a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a stilt user'sankle, and a passage spaced apart from the generally semi-cylindricalconcave inside surface receiving a leg support of the stilt, wherein thegenerally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface is positioned around alongitudinal axis, and the passage is generally parallel to saidlongitudinal axis.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the lower legbrace comprises a nonflaccid body defining a generally semi-cylindricalconcave inside surface for supporting a stilt user's leg, and a passagespaced apart from the generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surfacefor receiving a leg support of the stilt.
 13. A leg brace element for astilt, said leg brace element comprising a first nonflaccid body, asecond nonflaccid body, a hinge, and a fastener assembly, said firstnonflaccid body having a first lateral end and a second lateral end anddefining a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface forsupporting a stilt user's leg and a passage spaced apart from thegenerally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a legsupport of the stilt, said second nonflaccid body forming a nonflaccidarcuate closure having a first lateral end and a second lateral end,wherein the hinge connects the first lateral end of the arcuate closurewith the first lateral end of the first nonflaccid body, and thefastener assembly connects the second lateral end of the arcuate closurewith the second lateral end of the first nonflaccid body.
 14. Apparatuscomprising a floor platform, a shoe platform, a pair of substantiallyvertically mounted supports pivotally connecting said floor platform andsaid shoe platform in a parallelogram configuration, said verticalsupports spring-biased so as to urge said vertical supports and saidplatforms towards a rectangular configuration, and a leg support mountedto one of said vertically mounted supports and extending upwardly abovesaid shoe platform, said leg support having an upper end section, alower leg brace positioned on the upper end section of said leg supportin superposition with respect to the shoe platform, and an ankle braceelement positioned across the shoe platform from the leg support. 15.Apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the ankle brace element comprises anupper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including a concavearcuate surface facing the leg support, the lower portion being securedto the shoe platform and including an upright post connected to theupper portion.
 16. Apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the upper portion ofthe ankle brace element is connected to the lower portion of the anklebrace element with a sliding joint, wherein the ankle brace elementfurther includes means for immobilizing the sliding joint.
 17. Apparatuscomprising a first band end portion a second band end portion across-piece element carried on the first band end portion, a bucklecarried on the second band end portion, said buckle including a draglink for engaging the cross piece element and a lever arm for actuatingthe drag link.
 18. Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein the first band endportion is carried on a first saddle body, the second band end portionis carried on a second saddle body, and actuation of the lever arm whenthe drag link is engaged with the cross-piece element pulls the saddlebodies towards each other.
 19. Apparatus as in claim 17 furthercomprising an elongated foot plate having a top side, a first lateralside and a second lateral side, wherein the first band end portion comesup from the first lateral side of the foot plate, wherein the secondband end portion comes up from the second lateral side of the footplate, the first band end portion is formed from a nonflaccid materialand is attached to the first lateral side of the foot plate with a hingeconnection, and the second band end portion is formed from a nonflaccidmaterial and is attached to the second lateral side of the foot platewith a hinge connection, and the first band end portion and the secondband end portion arch over the top side of the foot plate when the draglink is engaged with the cross piece.
 20. A buckle comprising anelongated base plate having a pair of spaced apart parallel earsextending normally therefrom and a tang extending generally normallytherefrom at a location spaced apart from the ears, said tang beingpositioned in a plane generally normal to the planes of the ears, saidtang having a “C” shaped bend near an upper end thereof facing generallytowards the ears, a lever arm having a first end and a second end, thefirst end of the lever arm being pivotally connected to the ears of thebase plate, said lever arm having a length which is greater than adistance between the ears and the tang on the base plate and having aninside cross piece positioned to ride over an outer surface of the “C”shaped bend of the tang and snap the lever arm into a locked position inwhich the elongated base plate and the lever arm are generally parallel,a portion of the “C” shaped bend of the tang protruding above an uppersurface of the lever arm to permit the tang to be manually moved and thelever arm to be unlocked, and a drag link having a first end and asecond end, the first end of the drag link being pivotally connected tothe lever arm at a location between the first end of the lever arm andthe cross piece.
 21. A buckle as in claim 20 wherein the first end ofthe lever arm is formed from a pair of generally parallel legs whichextend to the cross piece and the first end of the drag link is sized tobe received between the legs.
 22. A buckle as in claim 20 wherein thebase plate is stamped sheet metal and the tang is urged towards thecross piece of the lever arm when the lever arm is in the lockedposition.
 23. A buckle as in claim 20 wherein the drag link carries awire loop.
 24. A lower leg brace element for a stilt, said lower legbrace element comprising a first nonflaccid body defining a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting lateral area on astilt user's lower leg, and a passage spaced apart from the generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for receiving a leg support ofthe stilt, a second nonflaccid body defining a generallysemi-cylindrical concave inside surface for supporting a posterior areaon a stilt user's lower leg, a first hinge connecting the firstnonflaccid body and the second nonflaccid body, a third nonflaccid bodydefining a generally semi-cylindrical concave inside surface forsupporting an anterior area on a stilt user's lower leg, and a secondhinge connecting the first nonflaccid body to the third nonflaccid body.25. A lower leg brace element as in claim 24 further comprising afastening assembly for bridging a gap between the second nonflaccid bodyand the third nonflaccid body and completing encirclement of a user'slower leg with the brace element.
 26. A lower leg brace element as inclaim 24 further comprising a padded liner positioned across the concavesurfaces of each of the first nonflaccid body, the second nonflaccidbody, and the third nonflaccid body which biases the brace elementtowards an open position.
 27. A lower leg brace element as in claim 24wherein each of the nonflaccid bodies spans an angle in the range of 45degrees to 120 degrees.
 28. Apparatus comprising a floor platform, ashoe platform, a pair of substantially vertically mounted supportspivotally connecting said floor platform and said shoe platform in aparallelogram configuration, said vertical supports spring-biased so asto urge said vertical supports and said platforms towards a rectangularconfiguration, and a leg support mounted to one of said verticallymounted supports and extending upwardly above said shoe platform, saidleg support having an upper end section, a lower leg brace positioned onthe leg support in superposition with respect to the shoe platform, andan ankle brace positioned between the lower leg brace and the shoeplatform.